We’re going to begin tonight in First Timothy 4:1 and what I’m going to talk about has been on my heart for some time and it has to do with men and women who stand in the pulpit.
When you understand how important a pastor is to a congregation, in terms of what he or she delivers to a congregation. A pastor can deliver a message that will edify, that will inspire us to go deeper into the Word and give more ear to the Holy Spirit, or a pastor can say follow me.
First Timothy 4:1 is a verse that we’re very familiar with. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly (This word means clearly and distinctly. In other words, you can’t miss what He’s trying to tell us.), that in the latter times some shall depart (This word means to walk away, stop, ignore. But the key thing to understand is that you cannot depart from something that you are not a part of.) from the faith, (Now the question is this: why are they departing?) giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
This is not something that happens quickly. This is a process. Sometimes it takes years for this to happen. There was a pastor in Oklahoma who, over a period of years, began to believe and teach that hell did not exist and that everyone, saint, and sinner, was going to heaven. And he said this based on what he said he was seeing in the Bible.
Ladies and gentlemen, you cannot take the Bible, as a whole, and believe that a person is going to heaven regardless of how he or she lives. It’s impossible. You have to keep the Bible whole – from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 – and the subject in context.
Now, I’m going to read this verse from the Amplified Bible. “But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in the latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach.”
And one of the doctrines that demons teach is that if you are the same sex, you can get married. That’s a doctrine of demons. Another doctrine of demons says that if you are a boy, but you feel like you are a girl, then you can become a girl. That’s a doctrine of demons, ladies and gentlemen.
I saw a short video clip on YouTube of a young, charismatic pastor preaching to members of his congregation. Most were in their early twenties. Remember what we just read in 1 Timothy 4:1 – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Now listen to what the pastor said.
“I don’t beat nobody up for smoking, drinking, and having sex and doing all that, not because I did it, but because I can relate. I can relate. If you ever notice, preachers who get up and beat people up for doing it because they want to convict you into the presence of God. Condemnation pushes you out of the presence of God.” [Shouts of “Preach” and “Amens”]
“I’m not the Holy Spirit. It’s not my job to convict you. I’m God’s servant and it’s my job to relate to you. [More shouts and hands clapping] And if I can relate to you …”
Now this is what bothers me, ladies and gentlemen. This young man has charisma. He’s nice-looking. It’s hard to get past seeing him to hearing him. Do you understand what I am saying? You see him and believe what he is saying because he’s pleasing to the eyes. He says,
“I can pull you out of depression. I can pull you out of pain. I can pull you out of homosexuality. I can pull you out.”
I love my pastor, but whatever I’m doing that is a sin, my pastor can’t pull me out if I don’t want to be pulled out of it.
“So, this is why when I get calls and people say do you know they’re living together and having sex, I say yeah and I don’t care, because I am the pastor, not their parent. It’s my job to cover you, not control you.”
Seducing spirits. Doctrines of devils.
Some observations.
I understand the notion of relating to people, but not because I did the same things. For example, I have never taken an illegal drug in my life. Does that disqualify me from ministering to someone who has? I have never been drunk. Does that disqualify me from ministering to someone who has? If I need to relate to these individuals in terms of having similar experiences, then I can’t minister to them.
I have got news for you. Jesus can’t relate to the homosexual either. Jesus can’t relate to the person who uses drugs either. He couldn’t relate to anyone who had a sinful nature! Was He disqualified from ministering to people who did? Uh, I don’t think so and I praise God for this.
This man is not a pastor, ladies and gentlemen. Turn with me to 2 Timothy 3 and look at verse 16.
(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable (What is the first thing Timothy says about Scripture? All of it is profitable from Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:21.) for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Why?
(17) That the man (the woman) of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
A pastor uses the Bible, not his experiences, not his personal beliefs, to teach about sin (doctrine), to identify it in his flock (rebukes), and then show them how to stop it (correction). But we don’t see this in this pastor, and I pray for him because, if he continues down this road, he is going to miss heaven and the folks in his congregation is going to miss heaven with him.
Turn to Matthew 18. The disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Let’s begin with verse one.
(1) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (The disciples wanted Jesus to rate them. They wanted Him to identify who was ready for leadership in the kingdom of heaven. Now look at what Jesus does.)
(2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (Do you think it was an accident that Jesus chose a child?)
(3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Jesus tells them two things. First, you are not in the kingdom yet. And second, you must be born into the kingdom and when you are, you will be a little child.)
(4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Verse six is the focus.
(6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
The word “offend” means to lead astray, lead into sin, be a stumbling block, or the occasion of one’s sinning. The young pastor we just read about is offending his flock.
What this pastor said is not all that uncommon in the Church today – not by a long shot. Turn to Galatians 1:6-9.
(6) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (So what is Paul about to address? The people are listening to men who are preaching a gospel that is different from the one that he taught them.)
(7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Some of those who were doing the “troubling” and doing the “perverting” were not doing it with the intent of leading the people astray. Some were doing it because they were deceived by seducing spirits.)
(8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (The long and short of it: let them miss heaven.)
(9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
What do you think is the status of that young man? He’s accused. He’s going to miss heaven. But we have a God who is longsuffering and who will give this young many time to repent.
Many Christians are buying what ministers like him are selling. And the more they buy this “altered gospel” the more spiritual darkness they’re purchasing for themselves. And, if they continue to purchase what is being sold to them, eventually the “light of life” that they received from Jesus will be extinguished and they will once again be in eternal darkness.
What we see in the Church was prophesied in 1965, nearly 60 years ago, by Stanley Frodsham, a personal friend of Smith Wigglesworth. He warned of the spirit of deception coming to those who did not hold fast to the truth of the Bible and who do not walk in holiness and righteousness. I’m going to share a portion of that prophecy. (If you’d like to listen to the prophecy, go to YouTube and type in 1965 Prophecy – End Times by Stanley Frodsham.)
“I warn you to search the scriptures diligently concerning these last days. For the things that are written shall indeed be made manifest. There shall come deceivers among My people in increasing numbers, who shall speak forth the truth and shall gain the favor of the people. For the people shall examine the scriptures and say, ‘What these men say is true.’ Then when they have gained the hearts of the people, then and then only shall they bring out their wrong doctrines.”
They gain the hearts first and then the error follows.
Look at Matthew 24:3-4.
(3) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
(4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Jesus says we will know He’s coming back when deceivers are causing the flock to form false opinions or beliefs about what He has taught. Some will deceive deliberately while others will deceive by supplying incorrect information. I truly believe that most deceivers are the latter because they are deceived themselves.
The prophecy says the only way we can protect ourselves from those teaching false doctrine is “to search the scriptures diligently.” And we see this in Acts 17:11.
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
We must understand, believe, and be uncompromising in accepting the Bible as truth! Turn back to Matthew 24 and let’s look at verses 11 and 12.
(11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
“Iniquity” refers to all forms of immorality and guess where it is ladies and gentlemen. In the Church! False prophets will increase because what they teach will accommodate the sin in people’s lives. Deception leads to compromise.
I want you to consider three definitions of the word “compromise.”
? To undermine or devalue somebody or something by making concessions.
? To settle a dispute by agreeing to accept less than what was originally desired.
? To expose somebody or something to danger or disgrace.
We see all of these in the Church today. Many are undermining and devaluing the Bible when they make decisions that go against its teachings. They’re allowing society to make them cowards when they stay silent rather than loudly proclaim the Bible’s truth.
And even sadder is to see Christians acting like Adam did in the Garden – they stand by and watch as their brothers and sisters are deceived by wrong doctrine and put on the path to the lake of fire.
Look at 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. We are still talking about this prophecy.
(13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
(14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
(15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
When a person is living an ungodly life, then the person that they are listening to is, to them, a preacher of righteousness. Are you following me? The congregation of this young pastor who is teaching doctrines of devils is making him a preacher of righteousness to them by agreeing with what he says.
“Therefore, I say that you should not give your hearts to man, nor hold people’s persons in admiration or adulation. For by these very persons, Satan shall gain entry into My people. Watch for seducers! Do you think a seducer will brandish heresy and flaunt it before the people? He will speak words of righteousness and truth and will appear as a minister of light, declaring the Word.”
God is telling us to follow the doctrine and not the charisma. We are to follow what they say, not how well they say what they say.
“The people’s hearts shall be won. Then when the hearts are won, they will bring out doctrines and the people will be deceived. The people shall say ‘Did he not speak thus and thus? And did we not examine it from the Word? Therefore, he is a minister of righteousness. This that he has now spoken we do not see it in the Word, but it must be right for the other things he spoke were true.”
“Be not deceived. For the deceiver will first work to gain the hearts of many, and then shall bring forth his insidious doctrines. You cannot discern those who are of Me and who are not of Me when they start to preach. But seek Me constantly, and when these doctrines are brought out you shall have a witness in your heart that these are not of Me.”
Again, the false teachers will appeal to the hearts first and then error. This is the second time we see this in this prophecy.
“The minister of righteousness shall be on this wise – his life shall agree with the Word, and his lips shall give forth that which is wholly true; there will be no mixture. When mixture appears then you will know he is not a minister of righteousness. The deceivers speak first the truth and then error, to cover their own sins which they love. Therefore, I exhort and command you to study the scriptures relative to seducing spirits, for this is one of the great dangers of these last days.”
The minister of righteousness speaks truth only.
The last paragraph I’m going to read. “I desire you to be firmly established in My Word and not in the personalities of men, that you will not be moved as so many shall be moved.”
Do you see what the Lord is saying? People are going to be moved to unrighteousness by the personalities in the pulpit.
“I would keep you in the paths of righteousness. Take heed to yourselves and follow not the seducing spirits that are already manifesting themselves. Diligently inquire of Me when you hear something that you have not seen in the Word, and do not hold people’s persons in admiration, for it is by this very method that Satan will hold many of My people.
We must be firmly established in God’s Word
The primary reasons Christians are being deceived and living in compromise is repeated in this portion of the prophecy.
• Acts 17:11. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Unlike the Bereans, they have given their hearts (and ears) to the false teachers. They accept what they hear and don’t see the need to see if scripture, left in context, supports it. Do you remember the charismatic pastor? Do you think his congregation is “truth-checking” what he’s teaching? Ladies and gentlemen, you should be “truth- checking” Barry. I won’t get offended.
• They hold the person in higher esteem than they do the Word of God. Paul had to address this same issue with the believers in Corinth. 1 Corinthians 1:11-12.
(11) For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
(12) Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Ladies and gentlemen, when there’s deception in the camp, there will be division in the camp. The enemy of the soul continues to deceive and divide the body of Christ through wrong teaching and through charismatic personalities.
We don’t have to fall prey to Satan’s deception. But we can’t be complacent either.
Hebrews 12:2 says we must always keep our eyes focused on Jesus. Second Timothy 2:15 tells us to study the Word and do it on purpose. Second Timothy 3:16 and 17 say that the entire Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:21, is given to us by God to help us grow and mature so that we can do good works for the kingdom. And then First Corinthians 14:2 says that when we speak in tongues, we are having a personal conversation with our Father.
These are the things that will help us avoid falling prey to Satan’s deceptions and doctrines of devils.
Let’s end by repeating the first line of the last paragraph of the prophecy: “I desire you to be firmly established in My Word and not in the personalities of men, that you will not be moved as so many shall be moved.” Let the Church say “I will not be moved! Yes, and Amen (so be it)!”
